Day 28: Money!

Who says Money can't buy you love? Money bought me this 24 Cupcake Carrier and I absolutely LOVE it! Money also bought me the ingredients to make my favorite Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes that I love! You know what money can't buy? Other Money! Wait a minute... if this is true then how did some guy sell a 1873 dime for $1.6 million dollars? Holy Crap.... who pays that kind of money for a dime? And why is this person not working in our government to help our country's debit? If this man made $1.6 million dollars off a dime imagine what he could knock off our debit if he sold a quarter from that time frame? Thank goodness I kept all my old money from my days of working at the bank. Maybe one day my 1936 semi-mint condition $1 will sell for... $1 million dollars!

Day 27: Something You Ate!

Don't stop until you get enough! Unless you had your stomach removed... stop at 2! The makers of this Chewy Granola Bar should have to place a big red WARNING on the side of the box saying "Addicting"! When my any time of day hungry kicks in I go straight to the pantry and try to avoid the granola bars with all the will power I have. I always end up giving into this and remind myself you just need one... not two! Sure enough my will power fails and I go back for a second one and thankfully my stomach kicks in and takes charge letting me know it is full. If it weren't for my surgery... I would blame any and all weight gain on them!

Day 26: Night!

When the lights go out in the city... the Omni Hotel Dallas has a special message for you! Or at least I like to think so! The night of my birthday weekend get-a-way with my awesome hubby, Mat, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas, the Omni Hotel Dallas had an "S" as the light show for the night. I knew in this moment I was meant to be a Sanders. I always joke with Mat that I married him for his last name, 26 years of Bond jokes, who wouldn't? Just Kidding Bond Family! Anyway, this was our view we had all night with a special order of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries toasting to us and my birthday, of course! I know, I know, I got a keeper and... a new last name!

 

Day 25: Green

Who needs a brown eyed girl when you can have a girl with these beautiful green eyes??? In my night life college days I always had men complementing me on how beautiful my eyes are. At the time I was always very flattered but now that I'm thinking about it night clubs are dark and it was probably just a pick up line. Well, the men had this silly college girl now grown up adult convinced she had beautiful eyes in the dark and light. Really though I have always felt like my best feature are my eyes. In some lights the are hazel and in others they are a vibrant green. When looking at others the first things I notice are there eyes followed by there smile. When you have a great combination like that it just melts my heart. This is how I picked my hubby... that and he mentioned my eyes when we met!


*S/N: I met Mat at Rockin Rodeo... a night club!

 

Day 24: Inside Bathroom Cabinets!

Too exhausted from my 8hr drive to write anything about the inside of my bathroom cabinets! At least the ones here at my moms house have way more space then my camper. Aw my camper... Missing it and the hubby already!

Day 23: Your Shoes

Someone better call the newspapers... I walked around 20 minutes carrying these shoes debating to buy or not to buy! In the end temptation did not win and I am one less pair of really cute shoes. Mat will be the first to tell you that I am not hurting for shoes nor are shoes hurting for me. I probably have more shoes then outfits they can go with. Next time, temptation might win... especially if the shoes are pink with black lace!

Day 22: Where you work!

Hi Ho Hi Ho It's off to work I go....wait a minute... I live where I work! The luxury of being a Traveling Pipeline Wife is I get to take care of the most important man in my life... my husband, Mat! I wake every morning around 6am to feed the girls, take the girls potty, and start working on Mat's lunch. He is one luck man since I pack him a hot lunch everyday along with a soda and snacks. 6:15am I start the process of trying to get him out of bed which is a huge challenge in itself. 6:25am he rolls out of bed, I crank the truck, and start making his coffee to go. 6:35am he walks down from the bedroom, gets his boots on, and fixes his coffee. 6:45am he is finally out the door and on his way to work. 7:00am-5:00pm is my time to do laundry, clean camper, socialize with other wives, get a mani/pedi, pay bills, and anything else Mat assigns to me to do for the day. 5:00pm I start dinner and possibly desert. Between 5:45-6:15pm Mat arrives home, tired, sometimes grumpy, and ready to eat! Once we are done with dinner we sit in our chains and watch TV, most of the time its Criminal Minds or Big Bang Theory. Then we go to bed between 10:00pm-12:00am and my day starts all over again at 6am. I do have to admit... I sometimes go back to sleep when he leaves at 6:45!

Day 21: A Fave Photo of You

What's your Major? Kinesiology! Then I'd start to giggle since most would have this look of confusion on there face. What's that? The study of movement in the human body! College years were the best and at times the worst years of my life. I started my college career with a soccer scholarship from Lander University in SC. After a year, with the help of an injury, I packed my stuff and came home to the good ole state of Texas. I attended TWU for 4 years earning my Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Kinesiology (cardiac rehabilitation and corporate fitness emphasis) along with my Physical Education Teacher Certification in Dec. 2008. I also minored in Science. Go ME! So what am I doing these days? Well, between graduation and now I have worked in hospitals, tanning salons, and my favorite a bank. My parents and husband have been really supportive of my career changing and indecisiveness, especially since I have yet to use my degree. However, with all this support I now have the best job I could ever dream of... Traveling Pipeline Wife! Doesn't get much better then this!

Day 20: Handwriting

Do you see what I see??? Its not often I get a card with writing in it but then again I don't always get cards. If I do the lady at the local flower shop where my hubby ordered my flowers usually does the writing before delivery. So you can imagine my surprise when Valentines Day arrive and he hand delivered my flowers, chocolates, and an actual Valentines Day card. I was even more surprised when I opened the card and had a personal hand written message from him. My country boy pipeliner stepped out of his box and gave me a card I will cherish forever!

Day 19: Something you hate to do

O Dishwasher, O Dishwasher, wherefore art thou Dishwasher? Not in this camper... that's for sure! Take a good look... this is my view of my camper sink ever night after cooking dinner. I hate to admit this but some nights I'm just too tired to do the dishes so I skip out and go to bed. When saying my prayers I add in a quick wish that the camper dishwasher fairy would make an appearance. You can imagine my disappointment when I walk down the stairs and my sink looks like this. Plus I'm adding to it when getting Mat's hot lunch ready for work. Once he is out the door and on his way to work I start the dishes since the lazy dishwasher fairy didn't show up again. I really hate having to do his/her job! Oh well, one day my long lost love, the dishwasher, will reappear!

Day 18: Drink

Need a Drink! Caution... it comes with a slight kick! Too much can cause a face plant into what you hope is your bed, couch, or something soft for all that matters. So why would anyone want to drink this stout stuff? I will always pass but my spouse never pass on the opportunity to have a jar...especially if it is free. When we first met he would drink it to get a nice buzz before going to the bar since he knew he wouldn't have an option to get out of dancing with me. Now he uses it for a night time sleep aid which thankfully cures his loud snoring and my sleepless nights. So I asked ladies and gents, would you like a sip of this Tennessee White Whiskey to help you be a better dancer, clear your sinuses, or at least give you a better nights sleep?

Day 17: Time

What is your birth time? I was born on 11/20 which makes my birth time at 11:20am or pm! Next question, how many of you make a wish when you just happen to look at the time and it is you birth time? I do! However, I'm about ready to give up since my wish, which let me remind you has been the same for the last two years that I make on my birthday, on a shooting star, in a wishing well, etc... since it has yet to come true or even come close. It's a big wish and just happens to be the only thing I have ever wished this hard for. When I was younger my wishes used to be to win the soccer game, mom to let me have desert after dinner, go to the movies, stay out late, all the things kids wished for. They were smaller and more likely to happen. I wish and pray every night since I truly believe it will happen sooner or later... Are you curious yet???

Day 16: Something New

Best Present Mat and I have treated ourselves to this year... 2013 Heartland Gateway 37' with 3 slides!!!! Love it! This weekend we have our first guest my mother in law, Honey, staying with us. The specks on the camper says it sleeps 1-2 but the camper came with an air mattress that plugs in and blows up by the press of a button. It also deflates with the press of another button. High tech air mattress if you ask me. Now I just have to keep from freezing since its 2 very hot natured people vs me!

Day 15: Phone!

Ring, Ring! Ring, Ring! Elvis Presley's Heartbreak Hotel Memphis, TN put the five finger discount test on me! Stealing is not something I think of often but the minute I entered the lobby of the Heartbreak Hotel and realized this phone in the lobby worked... I became temped to steal! Just ask my mom and Mat, I tried to get them in on my plan! I mean really who would have noticed it being gone? Its obvious I was not the only person who thought of this since the phone was on camera and the lobby concierges kept a close eye on everyone who went around it. Using good judgment I decided to take photos of the phone and took full advantage of calling out on it. One day... a phone like this will be MINE!!!!

Day 14: Heart

Roses are Red, Violets are Blue, Its Valentine's Days, and Single Awareness Day too! Being single on this day was the worst... trust me I spent a few alone. When you are just dating someone on this day, and you have been dating for some time, you tend to except something a little extra besides chocolates and flowers. Then something happens and you have to start all over again...grr! Almost 5 years ago, in May, I met Mat and our instant chemistry let me know I finally found the one. We moved in together after 6 months of dating and spending 2 of his birthdays, 2 of my birthdays, 2 Christmas, 2 Valentines, and 2 Anniversary's pasted and no proposal. On his third birthday as we celebrated together a Robbins Brother commercial came on the TV and he looked at me as said we should go just look at get some ideas. I was a little bummed at the "just look" idea but to my surprise as were walking up the stairs to "just look" he started reading the Will You Marry Me in different languages. When is said it in English I stopped and looked at him just stopped there on the steps and said are you asking? He then said it again but to my face and at that point I knew he was asking. I immediately said yes, worried he was going to say he was kidding and take it back. He smile this huge amazing smile that I knew I wanted to see the rest of my life. We continued up the stairs, met with a consultant who walked us through how there engagement store works, and started picking out rings and stones. At the end of the night I left with a hand picked ring and stone... and a future husband!

Day 13: Blue!

"Girl, How do you get in them jeans?" I have never been one to wear the fashionable jeans since prior to my surgery my jeans were the kind that were $12-$20 at Wal-Mart. Now I wear the fashionable jeans like Miss Me, Silver, Vigoss, etc... a find myself being impressed with the way I look in my jeans. They fit snug in the areas they need to fit snuggly along with sitting on my hips just perfectly with and without a belt. Now the question is to my husband... are you wondering how I got in these jeans or do I need to walk by one more time?

Day 12: Inside your Closet!

What skeletons are in your closet? For the first time in my life I have a closet I'm not embarrassed for someone to have to go through. Growing up, and my mom can testify to this, I was the worst about picking up my room by throwing everything under the bed or in the closet. My closet would get so full that it took everything I had to get the door to shut. When mom would do the room walk through she would be impressed when first entering the room then lift the bed skirt and immediately be disappointed. She soon realized all the crap on the room floor, desk, or book shelf was now under the bed and what didn't fit was in the closet. Thankfully I have grown up and now my closet is full of clothes, shoes, and a small vacuum. Then again if my closet was bigger then 3' by 2' deep I probably would have more skeletons aka shoes!

Day 11: Makes You Happy!

Who created your happiness? Your parents, spouse, family, friends, pets, etc... someone had to create them right? My happiness was created by God! I'm on a path, God has created, yes this path has bumps that will knock me down but thankfully he has created and blessed me with people who will help pick me back up. He has given me challenges to face on my own and with the help of family and friends. My mom was graced with the biggest blessing of raising me. You can read all the books out there to on how to be a great parent and what to look forward to as your child reaches certain ages. However, as I see it each child is different and some of the books might touch on things your child does but God graced my mom with the patience to raise me to the best of her ability. When she felt like she was failing she had the assistance of my grandmother, her mother Jody or G'nny as I call her. She raised 3 girls and one little grandchild was a big blessing for her to help with. Growing up she spoiled me like all grandparents do. She saved me when I tested my mom and saved my mom when she couldn't take my wildness from ADD. She has been a blessing to the both of us from the time I entered this world, to now, and will continue for years to come. Around the age of 5 my step-dad, Brad, entered the life of this blessing. He already had 2 children and then took on the blessing of me too! Ask him yourself... I was a blessing... at times. Now I'm Mat's blessing, which he took on almost 5 years ago. We met, fell in love, got married, and are now trying to be blessed by God with our own little blessing. So when asked what makes me happy? God Does!

Day 10: Self Portrait

Nothing annoys me more then someone who takes a daily slew of photos of themselves and posts it all over there social network. We know who you are and what you look like! Today's photo challenge, self portrait, is giving me the opportunity to remind people of what I look like in a still photo. Now I will admit I took about 15 photos before I finally decided which one I wanted to use instead of overwhelming you with them and asking "which one do you like best" or "which side of my face is better looking"? So why this one? Easy, the minute I saw it I noticed I finally have the features of the most amazing woman I know who raised me to be a strong and independent woman. I saw within myself my mother, Sonya. After 28 years, and a much slimmer face, I finally have the same beautiful features my mom does, except I still have the Bond nose. My entire life everyone has told me I look like my dad but tonight when she posted her self portrait next to mine on FB, I immediately noticed I look just like her. Its funny how women don't want to grow up to be like there mothers, let alone look like them. I feel differently. I would like to grow up to be at least half the woman my mom is and would love to have her age defying good looks, and her new nose! LOL! Thank you mom for giving me not only my awesome personality but the looks any daughter would be grateful for!

This is my amazing and beautiful Mom! I love and adore her!

Day 9: Front Door

May I have your attention please? In case of an emergency this is the only door you can escape from. If the door is blocked jump out the windows! Our camper has one door, which is the standard door found in all campers, and really is the worst design for a door when it comes to safety. For instance, when someone knocks on the door there is no peep hole to look through. If you want to see who is at the door you have to lift the shade to the window next to the door and hope the person doesn't notice you checking to see who it is. Its not like you can open the main door and be safe behind the non locking screen door. If someone is trying to break in, and here you opened the main door with its single lock and kept the screen door closed, you cant just ask the robber to hold on a second while you run to get your gun. Seriously...these campers must be designed by men. No woman would ever design a camper where they were unable to see who is knocking at the door. Some things are just better to leave to a woman!

Day 8: Sun!

Its a bird, its a plane, its a... no no wait its just the sun! This last week has been so foggy it was a blessing to see the sun, which just happened to come out on the day my photo challenge required a picture of it. I woke this morning to a cold drizzle on top of a layer of thick fog. I thought for sure I would not be able to get my photo and have to search through all of my old photos to find a picture of the sun. Or I would have to result to drawing a picture of the sun and no one really wants to view my artistic skills. Once I realized the sun finally came out I felt like I needed to pull a Timothy Green moment, character in the movie The Odd Life of Timothy Green, and hold my arms out standing like a cross to absorb the sun. Ahh...Got some Vitamin D!

Day 7: Button

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 7: Button

Can you guess what this button belongs to??? My iPhone, which I almost feel like I can't live without, but definitely can't leave my house without! Its amazing how this one button brings so much happiness to me and just about every other person out there who owns an iPhone. However, when that small button fails you, you feel like your going to lose your mind and in that instance you hate the phone until it does what you ask of it. This small button takes you to all your favorite apps and brings you right back to the home screen when your done with the app. I cant remember how I navigated my previous phones nor can I imagine what life was like before my smart phone and its special button!

Day 6: Dinner

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 6: Dinner

Grilling is not a specialty of mine but it is a specialty of Mat's! Last night Mat decided we were going to grill hot dogs and hamburgers tonight for dinner... yummy! Now my surgery was 7 months ago and I have yet to have a hamburger since the doctor did say red meat is harder on the stomach. So here we go... my first half of a hamburger since the surgery and oh my gosh it was wonderful. The meat was cooked just right on the grill with the cheese lightly melted with ketchup and pickles on a lightly toasted bun. Man this is making me want to go and eat the other half. Now the true tester will be how my stomach handles the red meat once it is digested!

Day 5: 10am

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 5: 10am


Laundry day is usually at 10am on Thursday but since my hubby was running short on his favorite jeans and welding shirts my usual laundry day was moved to today, Tuesday, at 10. Originally I was going to take a photo of myself with a clock in the background showing a clock saying 10am. Instead I got to take a picture of my favorite duty of the week...laundry. Ha! Seriously though who out there likes doing laundry, especially if you have to do it at a laundry mat? When I sit back and think about it I'm putting stinky closes into a machine others have put lord knows what in them before me. For example, I did not check one of the front loader machines today before I stuck my clothes in it and half way through the cycle I look at the glass and notice 2 CDs rotating with the clothes. CDs! Who doesn't notice CDs in there clothes? After the wash you have to take your clothes in a nasty looking cart to the dryers, which you hope the high heat temperatures kills all the germs. Then once the clothes are dry you put them back in the nasty looking baskets and fold them on a table you hope is clean too. Ugh... I can still fill the germs! Living in a camper sure does make me miss my own personal washer and dryer. Plus side... this camper has washer and dryer connections!

Day 4: A Stranger

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 4: A Stranger

Who in there right mind would want to drink and work out??? Not this girl! Apparently these strangers want to work off the calories as consume them. Now where is the fun in that? Unless, is it possible to get a better buzz from the alcohol if you get your endorphins going? Interesting! Maybe these strangers are on to something and I had been doing it wrong during my college years. Now that I think about it, when I was in college I loved to go dancing at the local western bar. When I had a few drinks in me the better dancer I became which lead to more dancing, and drinking, and it just happens to be a form of exercise. So maybe I was working out while I was drinking at the bar, however, these guys had the better idea. At least they are working out in comfortable clothes and shoes while I was doing my so called "workout" at the bar I was wearing a dress and 5" heels. Guess I wasn't in my right mind! LOL!

Day 3: Hands

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 3: Hands

5 hands and 2 paws....each have made a major impact on my life. Each of these have helped pick me up at my low points and helped me grow to be the lady I am today. So who's hands/paws are they?

Top left: The hands of this lady have been there for me from the day I was born and has shown me nothing but love and compassion. She has supported me in all my life decisions, encouraged me to be strong at low points, and always cheered me on at my highs. With her I got to see my first murder mystery shows, joked with me about renting a naughty movie when I was 11, and went roller skating with me. We have had 28 wonderful years together making memories, an many more to come, that will last a life time. She has a special place in my heart that will always be called hers. Thanks to her loving hands I have the best memories a grandchild could ever receive from a grandma. I love you dearly G'nny!

Top Right: The hands of this boy made my 16th birthday one to remember for a lifetime and a smile a will never forget. He truly was the best friend a girl could have ever asked for. My favorite memory, besides my 16th birthday, was soccer practice ending and getting into my truck to find handcuffs hanging from my rear view mirror, which by the way I still have just on a different truck mirror. I knew exactly who put them there and figured I would find out why at some point. As I was driving through the parking lot he pulled in front of my truck, blocking me from exiting the parking lot, jumped out of his truck, ran over to mine, kissed my cheek through my window, ran back to his, and drove off. The sweetest gifts I ever got was in that moment. The next time he kissed me was on our way to our vehicles from the ice cream shop and it just happened to be the best strawberry sherbet kiss I have every had. Thanks to this person I have learned how to love and deal with loss. I love you and miss you dearly Kurt Mautner!

Middle Left and Right: These dogs, or as I call them my babies, have taught me the love of a pet is for a lifetime. The minute I walk in the door they are so excited to see me, even if I was only gone 10 minutes. When I'm sick, sad, upset, happy, etc... they are always right at your feet or in your face trying to share your emotion. Martini is my high five, sneeze on command, lick your stinky feet, food hog, stranger greeter, bone chewer kind of girl. Olive is my sit in your lap to be loved on, growl at you when you touch her feet or your feet touch her, bull doze Tini when she is out of line, bark at strangers, willing to roll over for treats, very sweet and loveable girl. I love my girls as much as I will love my kids.

Bottom Right: The hands of this man have been apart of my life since I was 5 years old and has played a major part of helping me become the woman I am today. Step-parents are often not given the credit they deserve when they take on the responsibility of another persons child, especially if they have 2 of there own. He supported me through my soccer career, sports, school, life all together. He understands what it takes to succeed even if you have to bribe a child to reach goals. Without this person college or my dream wedding would have never come true. Thank you for being my cheering squad and the support I have needed when others were not able to give it to me. I can still hear you cheering "Go Bond Go"! I love you Brad!

Bottom Middle: The hands of this man have taught me how to forgive and understand mistakes happen. Also, racing is a part of his life and the need for speed has become a part of mine. My first ever speeding ticket this man congratulated me and wrote a column in his magazine about it. No matter the distance he has always been a supporter in all that I do. Thank you for teaching me that life doesn't have to always be serious and speeding is a part of who I am. I love you Dad!

Bottom Left: The hands of this woman were the first to ever hold me. She has loved me from the minute she found out she was having me and has loved me more and more everyday since she gave birth to me. She is my hero! She is such an amazing mother and best friend that its hard for me to find the words to describe her. She was my #1 fan in all my sports, tried to never miss a game, and always found a way for me to travel to out of state and country games. She taught me to never give up, follow my heart, and most importantly how to love. Thanks to her I am every bit of her mixed with the rest of the hands that have touched my life. I love you more then you can every imagine MOM!

Main Center: These are the hands of the man who I will spend the rest of my life with. When he asked for my hand in marriage I knew from that moment on his hands would be the ones to hold me during the good and the bad. Those hands work hard for this family and provide daily love and support. Every decision I make he is always the first to know about it and the first to support it. I could not have picked a better man to spend my life with. He also understands my mom knows everything. My love for you, Mat, grows stronger and stronger everyday. Thank you for choosing me to spend the rest of your life with! I love you!

Day 2: Words

February Photo a Day Challenge Day 2: Words

Words are every where... which would make you think that today's photo of "words" would have been a walk in the park. Ha! When I first got up this morning I thought I would like to take a photo of some inspirational words. As the day went on I came across some inspirational quotes along with some funny signs but finally decided that the words I would like to use for today's photo are on the sign to Miranda Lambert's Store the Pink Pistol! Why this? If you ask my mom she might say its because it is in my favorite color and it just happens to be a bigger plus it says pink. Well, its true. So way not just post a pic of the word pink? That's where my husband, Mat, would chime is and say she has been begging for a pink pistol. The words Pink Pistol just happened to describe a desire I have been having for the last few months. Now my friend, April, believes in signs and I believe her taking me and her 3 boys to the Pink Pistol in Tishomingo, OK is a sign I should get a Pink Pistol! Or it was a sign my "words" photo of the day should have been Tishomingo! LOL!

Day 1: Your View Today

February 1: Your View Today

My mom, who is doing the February Photo a Day Challenge with me, asked what exactly does it mean by your view today? My initial response was it can be anything... your view out the front door, your view on your life, a view of your favorite things. Her response was I thought it was your sight, which I assumed after that response she would have taken a picture of her eyes. However, her photo today was a beautiful and breath taking photo of her back yard. The trees were full and green with the sparkling light blue water shimmering from the pool. You could almost imagine yourself sitting in the chairs next to the pool soaking in the sunlight and listening to the sweet chirping of the birds sitting on the branches of the magnolia tree. How peaceful, right? Right! You don't even have to see the picture and can imagine it!

Now, my photo for today's challenge of your view today is not as breath taking and as peaceful as my moms but it is a panoramic view of my home. Everyday I sit in this recliner and look at this beautiful home that God has blessed Mat and I with. If it were not for Mat's and my hard work be would still be living in two different places and facing the daily challenge of missing each other and wondering when the next time we would see each other, and not to mention I would still be fighting depression. In my mind I have the best view on my life, today and everyday, when I sit in this recliner and look around at all the things Mat and I have been blessed with.